President William Ruto has challenged the opposition to abandon empty political slogans and instead present Kenyans with clear policies and development plans.
He said political competition should be based on ideas and solutions to the challenges facing the country, rather than rhetoric and criticism that add no value to Kenyans.
The President challenged his rivals to explain what they would do differently if elected and to point to what they have achieved in public service.
“I want to tell them to stop the politics of slogans and empty statements. Every leader seeking the support of Kenyans should tell the people what they stand for, what they plan to do and what they have achieved,” President Ruto said.
“Don’t just sing ‘wantam’ or ‘Kasongo’; bring your agenda to the people. Tell Kenyans your policies and what you will do for them.”
The President was speaking during a development tour of Kajiado county. He was accompanied by, among others, Governor Joseph Lenku, Woman Representative Leah Sopiato and Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina.
The President also expressed confidence that Kenyans would re-elect him based on the achievements of his administration, saying his government has undertaken major programmes aimed at transforming the economy and improving the lives of citizens.
His administration, he noted, would face the electorate on the strength of its record, insisting that voters would judge leaders based on their achievements and the agenda they offer for the future.
“I will defeat my competitors in the morning because they don’t have a plan—just slogans and noise,” he said.
He spoke while inspecting the ongoing construction of Rombo Bridge in Kajiado South as the government stepped up the implementation of a major road project in the area.
The project is expected to improve transport and trade between Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
Ruto's itinerary began in Rombo, Kajiado South, where he inspected works on the Rombo-Taveta Road and the bridge forming part of the wider infrastructure project.
The Rombo Bridge is being developed as part of the Sh9.4 billion Illasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta road development, a project aimed at improving connectivity between communities in the two counties.
The road project covers a 65-kilometre link connecting Illasit, Rombo, Njukini and Taveta, providing an important transport corridor between Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.
The President maintained that merely criticising the government would not be enough to win the support of Kenyans, challenging opposition leaders to outline their economic and development policies.
At the same time, Ruto pledged that his administration would ensure peaceful, free and credible elections, saying every Kenyan had the right to participate in the democratic process without intimidation or violence.
“We will have a peaceful election next year; every Kenyan will vote peacefully without any coercion,” President Ruto said.
Governor Lenku rallied residents to support Ruto for a second term, saying he had demonstrated goodwill towards the county through various projects.
“As a region, we will stand with you because we have seen the kind of work going on here,” he said.
